气味苦、温，无毒。主逆咳伤中，补不足，除邪气，利九窍，益智慧，耳目聪明
，不忘，强志，倍力。久服轻身不老。
按∶远志气温，禀厥阴风木之气，入手厥阴心包；味苦，得少阴君火之味，入手少阴心
。然心包为相火，而主之者，心也。火不刑金则咳逆之病愈；火归土中，则伤中之病愈。主
明则下安，安则不外兴利除弊两大事，即“补不足，除邪气”之说也。心为一身之主宰，凡
九窍利，智慧益，耳聪目明，善记不忘，志强力壮，所谓天君泰，百体从令者此也。又云∶
“久服轻身不老者”，即《内经》所谓∶“主明则下安”，以此养生则寿之说也。夫曰养生
，曰久服，言其为服食之品，不可以之治病，故经方中绝无此味。今人喜用药丸为补养，久
则增气而成病。唯以补心之药为主，又以四藏之药为佐。如四方诸侯，皆出所有以贡天子，
即干纲克振，天下皆宁之道也。诸药皆偏，唯专于补心，则不痛。抱朴子谓∶陵阳子仲，服
远志二十七年，有子三十七人。开书所视，记而不忘，着其久服之效也。若以之治病，则大
失经旨矣。
气味辛、温，无毒。主风寒湿痹，咳逆上气，开心窍，补五脏，通九窍，明耳目
，出声音；主耳聋，痈疮，温肠胃，止小便利。久服轻身，不忘，不迷惑，延年，益心智，
高志不老。
陈修园曰∶菖蒲性用略同远志，但彼苦而此辛，且生于水石之中，受太阳寒水之气。其
味辛合于肺金而主表。其气温合于心包络之经，通于君火而主神。其主风寒湿痹、咳逆上气
者，从肺驱邪以解表也。开心窍至末句，皆言补心之效，其功同于远志。声音不出，此能宁
之。心火下济而光明，故能温肠胃而止小便利也。但菖蒲禀水精之气，外通九窍，内濡五脏
，其性自下以行于上，与远志自上以行于下者有别。
[Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi)]
Odor and Flavor: Bitter, warm, non-toxic. Indications: Cough with rebellious qi damaging the middle jiao; tonifying deficiencies; expelling pathogenic factors; unblocking the nine orifices; enhancing wisdom; making ears and eyes acute; preventing forgetfulness; strengthening willpower; doubling physical strength. Long-term administration lightens the body and delays aging.
Commentary: Yuanzhi has a warm nature, inheriting the wind-wood qi of Jueyin, entering the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin. Its bitter flavor corresponds to the Ministerial Fire of Shaoyin, entering the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin. However, the Pericardium acts as Ministerial Fire, while the Heart is the ruler. If Heart Fire does not overact on Lung Metal (Fire does not punish Metal), the disease of cough and rebellious qi heals; if Heart Fire returns to the Earth element, the disease of middle jiao damage heals. When the Ruler is clear, the subordinates are at peace. This peace involves only two major matters: promoting benefits and removing disadvantages, which is the saying of "tonifying deficiencies and expelling pathogenic factors." The Heart is the master of the whole body. Whenever the nine orifices are unblocked, wisdom increases, ears are acute and eyes bright, memory is good without forgetting, will is strong and physique is robust, this is what is meant by "When the Heavenly Lord (Heart) is tranquil, all limbs obey orders." It is also said: "Long-term use makes the body light and prevents aging," which refers to the saying in *Neijing*: "When the Ruler is clear, the subordinates are at peace; using this for health preservation leads to longevity." The terms "health preservation" and "long-term use" indicate that it is a dietary tonic and should not be used to treat diseases. Therefore, this herb is completely absent from classical formulas (*Jingfang*). Nowadays, people prefer using pills for nourishment. Over time, this increases Qi and causes disease. One should only use heart-tonifying herbs as the main agents, assisted by herbs for the other four Zang organs. This is like the feudal lords of the four directions offering their treasures to the Son of Heaven, representing the way to uphold authority and bring peace to the world. All herbs have biases; only by specifically tonifying the Heart can pain be avoided. *Baopuzi* states: Lingyang Zizhong took Yuanzhi for twenty-seven years and had thirty-seven children. He could open books, see them, and remember them without forgetting; this records the efficacy of long-term use. If used to treat diseases, it would greatly deviate from the original intent of the classics.
[Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu)]
Odor and Flavor: Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Indications: Bi syndrome caused by wind-cold-dampness; cough with rebellious upward-flowing qi; opening the heart orifices; tonifying the five Zang organs; unblocking the nine orifices; clarifying ears and eyes; restoring voice; treating deafness; treating carbuncles and sores; warming the stomach and intestines; stopping frequent urination. Long-term administration lightens the body, prevents forgetfulness, avoids confusion, prolongs life, enhances mental capacity, raises aspirations, and delays aging.
Chen Xiuyuan says: The nature and function of Shichangpu are slightly similar to Yuanzhi, but whereas Yuanzhi is bitter, Shichangpu is pungent. Furthermore, it grows among water and stones, inheriting the cold-water qi of Taiyang. Its pungent flavor harmonizes with Lung Metal and governs the exterior. Its warm temperature harmonizes with the Pericardium Meridian, connecting with Ministerial Fire and governing the Spirit. Its treatment of bi syndrome due to wind-cold-dampness and cough with rebellious qi is achieved by driving out pathogens from the Lung to release the exterior. From "opening the heart orifices" to the end of the sentence, all describe the effects of tonifying the Heart, functioning similarly to Yuanzhi. For inability to produce sound, it can calm it. When Heart Fire descends and illuminates, it can warm the stomach and intestines and stop frequent urination. However, Shichangpu inherits the essence of Water. It externally unblocks the nine orifices and internally moistens the five Zang organs. Its nature naturally moves from below upwards, which differs from Yuanzhi, which moves from above downwards.